THERE WILL be seven ordinations to the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Birmingham this summer, writes
Peter Jennings.
On July 6 Archbishop Vincent Nichols said: "This is a summer of exceptional grace for our archdiocese as seven new priests are ordained. They come from different backgrounds and are of different ages."
The archbishop said: "I hope many more men, young and of more mature years, will come forward to offer themselves to the priesthood."
Archbishop Nichols ordained Fr Andrew McCann to the priesthood at St Augustine of England in Solihull, West Midlands. Fr McCann, aged 37, studied at St Mary's College, Oscott.
On June 7 Fr Cecil Rogerson was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop David McGough, at Our Lady and All Saints, Stourbridge. Fr Rogerson also studied at St Mary's College Oscott. On June 28, Fr Christopher Miller was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop McGough in the Church of St Wulstan, Wolstanton. Fr Miller, who studied at the Venerable English College in Rome, will serve as assistant priest at St Peter's Leamington Spa. On July 5 Fr Paul Smith: who studied at Oscott College, was ordained by Archbishop Nichols, at St Ambrose Barlow, Hall Green, in Birmingham.
On July 12 Deacon Robert Devaney and Deacon Bernard Garratt will be ordained to the priesthood by Bishop William Kenney, at St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham. Fr Devaney studied at the Beda College and Fr Garratt studied at Oscott College.
On July 19 Deacon John Peyton will be ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Philip Pargeter at the Sacred Heart and All Souls parish in Acocks Green, Birmingham. Fr Peyton also studied at the Beda.
Fr Joseph Welch, a member of the Congregation of the Oratory of St Philip Neri in Oxford was ordained on June 27 by Bishop Kenney.